(1)S'rî S'uka said: 'From Khathvânga
there was Dîrghabâhu, from him the renown and dexterous
Raghu was born, from whose son Aja the great king
Das'aratha was born. (2)
Upon the prayers of the God-conscious ones the Absolute Truth took birth from his loins in four forms:
the Supreme Lord in person along with three of His expansions. They
appearing as four sons were known as Râma, Lakshmana, Bharata and
S'atrughna.(3)Oh King, you heard again and again the descriptions by many seers and knowers of the truth of His
transcendental
exploits
as
the
husband
of
Sîtâ
[*, compare
B.G. 4:
34]. (4-5)Obedient
to
His
father
He
left
the
kingdom
behind
and
wandered
together
with
His beloved
[Sîtâ] from
forest to forest on His two lotus feet that were as tender as the palm
of a hand. This He did in the company of Hanumân and Lakshmana who took away the pain of His path.
He was separated from His sweetheart Sîtâ [by Râvana] because He had disfigured S'ûrpanakhâ [the
sister of Râvana]. Over the ocean, that was afraid of His
eyebrows He raised in anger, a bridge was built [to Lankâ, the
residence of Râvana], after which He, the king of Ayodhyâ, like a forest fire destroyed the envious ones. May the mercy
be upon us of Him who in sage Vis'vâmitra's arena of
sacrifice, in the presence of Lakshmana, killed the great chiefs of the Râkshasas, the wanderers of the dark that were headed by
Mârîca.(6-7)It was He who, among all the heroes in the
world who were gathered in the hall where Sîtâ would select
her husband, took up the mighty bow of S'iva that had to be carried by
three hundred men. Fastening the string, oh King, and bending it, He
broke the bow in two the way a baby elephant breaks a stick of
sugarcane. By that victory he won the
divine
girl
named
Sîtâ
who
with
her
qualities,
behavior,
age
and
limbs
was a perfect match for Him, she the Goddess of Fortune
who had acquired a position on His chest. On His way home with her, He met and defeated, the deep-rooted pride of Bhrigupati
[Paras'urâma] who three times [seven, thus twenty one times] had
rid the earth of the seed of the [burden of unrighteous] rulers [see 9.16].
(8)Bowing
His
head
to
the
command
of
His
father,
who
in his attachment had made a promise to his
wife that He had to abandon the
kingdom, residence, opulence, relatives and friends, He with his wife left to live in the forest like a liberated soul [**].(9)Living
there
He,
as
He
wandered
around,
met
with great difficulties. He maimed the body of the
Râkshasa's sister [Râvana] because she had a [by lust] spoiled mind and then, with
His
invincible
bow
and
arrows
in
His
hands, had to kill the
fourteen-thousand of
her many friends headed by Khara, Tris'ira and Dûshana.

(10)Oh king,
when the ten-headed
Râvana heard the stories
about Sîtâ,
it stirred his heart and made him lust to see her. [The demon]
Mârîca then lured Râma away from their stay in the form of a golden deer that was killed by Him with a sharp arrow just as S'iva killed Daksha [with an ax,
see 4.5: 22].(11)
While He and His brother were in the forest, the unprotected daughter
of the king of Videha [or Janaka] was kidnapped by the most wicked
Râkshasa, like he was a tiger. Râma then
wandering
around like a man who, attracted to women, is in distress over being
separated from his wife, thus gave an example [in this
s'ringâra rasa] of where attachment all leads to. (12)After
having performed the funeral
rites for him who had died for His sake [the eagle Jathâyu], He
killed
Kabandha [a headless monster] and became friends with the leaders of
the monkey hordes so that He, informed by them about Sîtâ, could deliver her. He whose feet are worshiped by
Brahmâ and S'iva, but appeared as a normal man, next killed
Vâli [a wicked brother of Sugrîva]. Then He, accompanied by
the monkey soldiers, proceeded to the shore of the ocean.(13)The [god of
the] ocean silent with fear because of His angry glance - from which
all the crocodiles and sharks were agitated - carried, in assuming a
personal form, on his head all that was needed to worship Him and said,
upon reaching the lotus feet, the following:(14)'We,
the dull-minded, are truly not capable, oh Supreme One,
to know You as the one Original
Person
and
Supreme
Master
of
all
Universes
who
resides in the core of the heart. For the
God-conscious ones are the result of Your goodness,
the controllers of the people have resulted from Your passion, while
the rulers of the material elements sprang from Your mode of ignorance.
But You oh Lord, are the Master
over all these modes.(15)You
may cross [my waters] as You like!
Just conquer that son of Vis'ravâ called Râvana who is like
urine to
the three worlds and thus regain Your wife, oh hero. Build a bridge
here
and Your fame will spread. In
the future the great kings and
heroes from all directions will
glorify You for it.'

(16)After the Master of the Raghu dynasty with all
sorts of mountain peaks complete with trees and plants, that were
transported by hand by the mighty monkeys, had constructed a bridge in
the ocean [***],
He,
helped by the
directions of Vibhîshana [a virtuous brother of Râvana],
together with the soldiers led by Sugrîva, Nîla and
Hanumân set foot on [the island of] Lankâ that just before
had been set afire [by Hanumân's tail].(17)There
the houses of pleasure, granaries, treasuries, palace doors and city
gates, assembly houses, turrets and [even the] pigeon houses were taken
by force and dismantled by the Vânara [monkey] leaders who, just
like an elephant herd, turned the squares and crossroads with all their
flags and golden water pots on the rooftops, into one swirling river. (18)When
the master of the Râkshasas saw that, he summoned Nikumbha, Kumbha, Dhûmrâksha,
Durmukha, Surântaka, Narântaka and others to fight, and
also called for his sonIndrajit,
his
followers
Prahasta,
Atikâya,
Vikampana
and
finally
for
Kumbhakarna
[his
mighty
brother,
see 4.1:
37, 7.1:
44 and 7.10: 36].(19)All
the Râkshasa soldiers with their hard to defeat swords, lances,
bows, barbed missiles and spears, firebrands, javelins and scimitars [a
curved sword], lined up in front of Him who was surrounded by
Sugrîva, Lakshmana, Hanumân, Gandhamâda, Nîla,
Angada, Riksha, Panasa and others.

(20)The
commanders
of the soldiers of the Ruler of
the Raghu dynasty [Râma], together hurried forward to fight the
enemy
followers of Râvana moving on foot and seated on elephants,
chariots
and horses who,
condemned by the anger of
mother
Sîtâ, were out of luck in the battle. With trees, mountain
peaks, clubs and arrows they were all killed by the
[monkey] warriors lead by Angada and others.(21)The
Râkshasa
leader seeing that his forces were defeated, thereupon fuming with
anger drove his vehicle towards the brilliantly radiating Râma
who, seated on
the shining chariot of Indra that Mâtali [the driver] had
brought, struck
him with the sharpest arrows.(22)Râma
said
to
him:
'You
scum
of
the
earth,
since
you
oh
criminal, like a
dog have kidnapped My helpless wife, I, as Time itself, as someone not
failing in His heroism, will personally punish you today for that
shameless act, you abominable evildoer [see also B.G. 16:
6-18]!'

(23)Thus rebuking him He released
the arrow He had fixed on His bow and that arrow pierced his heart like a thunderbolt. Vomiting blood from his ten mouths he
fell down from his
heavenly vehicle. His men then roared: 'Alas, what has happened to
us?',
just like pious people do when they fall down [see also B.G. 9:
21]. (24)Thereafter
the
many
thousands
of
wives
of
the
demons,
headed
by
Mandodarî
[Râvana's wife], came out of
Lankâ and
lamented upon approaching [their dead husbands].(25)Embracing their beloved ones
and their friends who were all
killed by Lakshmana's arrows, they did beat their breasts and
cried pitiably, which [for the victors] was something pleasant to hear:(26) 'Oh alas, now he has been killed who has
protected us all! Oh Râvana, cause of our cries, to whom must the
state of Lankâ bereft of
your good self turn for shelter,
now it is defeated by the enemy? (27)Oh greatest patron, under the
spell of
lusty desires you, not knowing the influence of mother
Sîtâ, have arrived at a situation
like this.(28)Because of
what
you
did
oh glory of the
dynasty, we and the state of
Lankâ are now without a protector, your body is there as fodder
for the vultures and your soul is destined for hell
[compare B.G. 16:
19].'

(29)S'rî S'uka said: 'Vibhîshana with the approval of the
King of Kosala [Râma] performed for the family the funeral rites
that for a deceased one have to be
observed in order to save him from hell.(30) The Supreme Lord thereupon found His sweetheart [Sîtâ] back in an as'oka forest sitting in a small
cottage at the foot of a s'ims'apâ [as'oka]
tree. Sick from being separated from Him she was emaciated. (31)Râma
seeing
the
poor
plight
of
His
sweetheart
was
filled
with
compassion.
When she saw her beloved, her
lotus-like mouth was overwhelmed
with a
great joy.(32)The Supreme Lord put
Vibhîshana in charge of the rule over Lankâ's
Râkshasas for the duration of a kalpa. He placed
Sîtâ on His
vehicle and then ascended
Himself together with
Hanumân and the brothers
[Lakshmana and Sugrîva the commander] to return to His home town
[Ayodhyâ] and conclude the period of the vow [that He would stay
away for
fourteen years].(33)To
celebrate His
uncommon activities He on His way
was showered with
a choice of fragrant flowers offered by the higher class and was
joyfully praised by the seer of the Absolute Truth
[Brahmâ] and the ones belonging to him.(34)Lord
Râmacandra, the One of Great Compassion,
was very sorry to hear that His brother Bharata was
lying down on a kus'a mat, had
matted locks, ate barley cooked
in cow's urine and had
covered Himself with tree bark.(35-38)Bharata
hearing
about His arrival took the two sandals on His
head [that Râma had left behind on the throne to represent Him]
and came, accompanied by all citizens, the ministers and the priests,
to welcome His eldest brother.
Departing from His camp
Nandigrâma He was accompanied by songs, the sounds of musical
instruments,
the constant recitation of mantras performed by brahmins, by gold
embroidered
flags on golden chariots that were pulled by the most beautiful, with
gold
caparisoned horses and by soldiers in gold covered armor. Approaching in
procession with nicely dressed courtesans and servants as also with
soldiers on foot and everything else that would befit a royal
reception, like the wealth of all kinds of jewelry, He fell down at the
lotus feet with an ecstatic love that softened the core of His
[ascetic]
heart and filled His eyes with tears.(39-40)Placing the
two slippers before His brother, He stood with folded hands and tears
in His eyes. Then
He was embraced
by Râma who, bathing Him with
the water from His eyes, held Him in His arms for a long time. Râma,
Lakshmana
and
Sîtâ together
offered the
scholars and the others worthy
of worship personally
their
obeisances and also received these in return from all the
citizens.(41)Seeing
their
Lord
returning
after
so
many
years
the
citizens
of Kosala waved with
their
upper
garments,
offered Him garlands and began to dance in great
jubilation.(42-43)The
sandals were carried by
Bharata, the whisk and luxurious fan were carried by Vibhîshana
and
Sugrîva, a white parasol was carried by the son of the wind
god [Hanumân] and the bow and two quivers were carried by
S'atrughna.
Sîtâ held the waterpot with water from the holy places,
Angada held the sword made of gold and the King of the Rikshas
[Jâmbavân, the leader of the bears who also participated in
the
war] held the shield, oh King.(44) Sitting on Kuvera's heavenly chariot [the
'Pushpaka' captured from Râvana] He, the Supreme Lord devotedly
being worshiped by the women and the reciters, oh King, appeared as
brilliant as the moon risen among the planets.

(45-46)After properly being welcomed by His brother
He was festively received in the city of Ayodhyâ. Upon entering
the royal palace He paid mother Kaikeyî, His other
stepmothers and His own mother [Kaus'alyâ] His respects. The
spiritual teachers, friends of their age and the youngsters were all
of worship and their welcome was returned befittingly by
Râma, the
princess of the Videhas [Sîtâ] and Lakshmana. (47)The
mothers reviving like bodies awakening from sleep, while keeping their sons
on their lap, wetted them with a continuous flow of tears in letting go
of
their grief [over having been separated for so long].(48)According to the
vidhi the matted locks were
shaven off bythe family priest [Vashishthha] and the
elders of the family, after which, with the water of the four oceans
and other paraphernalia, a bathing ceremony was performed like
it was done for King
Indra [see 6: 13]. (49)
Thus having been fully bathed, nicely dressed, decorated and
garlanded, He shone brightly with His brothers and His wife. (50)Pleased
with
the
surrender
[of
His
brother]
He
accepted
the
throne offered to Him, as also the citizens who, serving
according to their nature with their
status orientations [varnâs'rama identity, see B.G. 4:
13], all deserved His
protection for that quality. Râma was therein just like a father
and was by them therefore also accepted as their father.

(51)Although this all happened in
Tretâ-yuga, the period became like Satya-Yuga because of
Râma's presence as the ruling king who with His full respect of
dharma made all living beings happy
[see also 12.3: 15]. (52) The forests,
the rivers, the hills and the mountains, the lands, the islands, the
oceans and the
seas offered all the living beings all they could wish for, oh best of
the Bharatas. (53)During the period that Râma, the Lord
in the Beyond, was king, there
was no suffering [due to oneself, others and nature], no disease,
old age, bereavement, distress, lamentation, fear and exhaustion or
dying against one's will.(54)Having sworn that He would
not take another
woman [for reasons of principle He separated from Sîtâ, see
next chapter] He, as a saintly king pure in His character and
dharma, by His
personal dutifulness was an
example, [in particular] for the
householders.(55)Sîtâ
in loving service of her husband
was, because of her good
character, always humble and submissive. Being chaste and afraid [to make mistakes], she
bashfully with understanding for her
husband's position captivated His
mind.'

Third
revised
edition, loaded January 9, 2013.

Previous
Aadhar editionand Vedabase links:

Text
1

S'rî S'uka said: 'From Khathvânga
there was Dîrghabâhu, from him the renown and dexterous
Raghu was born, from whose son Aja the great king
Das'aratha was born.

S'rî
S'uka
said:
'From
Khathvânga
there
was
Dirghabâhu,
from
him
was
the
renown
and dexterous Raghu born, from whose son Aja was born
the great king Das'aratha. (Vedabase)

Text
2

Upon the prayers of the
God-conscious ones the
Absolute Truth took birth from his loins in four forms: the Supreme
Lord in person along with three of His expansions. They appearing as
four sons were known as Râma, Lakshmana, Bharata and S'atrughna.

On the
prayers of the god-conscious were there from him the Supreme Lord Hari
and all those of the Absolute Truth who were directly there as parts of
Him, the plenary portion [or vishnu-tattva]; they, assuming the form of
four sons, were thus known as: Râma, Lakshmana, Bharata and
S'atrughna. (Vedabase)

Text
3

Oh King, you heard again and again the descriptions by many seers and knowers of the truth of His
transcendental
exploits
as
the
husband
of
Sîtâ [compare B.G. 4: 34].

Of His
transcendental exploits as the husband of Sîtâ, o King,
have you more than enough [*] heard trough the nice descriptions by the
many seers and knowers of the Reality [compare B.G. 4:34]. (Vedabase)

Text
4-5

Obedient to His father He left the
kingdom behind and wandered together with His beloved
[Sîtâ] from
forest to forest on His two lotus feet that were as tender as the palm
of a hand. This He did in the company of Hanumân and Lakshmana who took away the pain of His path.
He was separated from His sweetheart Sîtâ [by Râvana] because He had disfigured S'ûrpanakhâ [the
sister of Râvana]. Over the ocean, that was afraid of His
eyebrows He raised in anger, a bridge was built [to Lankâ, the
residence of Râvana], after which He, the king of Ayodhyâ, like a forest fire destroyed the envious ones. May the mercy
be upon us of Him who in sage Vis'vâmitra's arena of
sacrifice, in the presence of Lakshmana, killed the great chiefs of the Râkshasas, the wanderers of the dark that were headed by
Mârîca.

Loyal to
the teachings [answering to a promise his father made] abandoned He the
royal position and wandered He, accompanied by His loved ones
[Sîtâ and Lakshmana] who relieved Him of His fatigue on the
path, from forest to forest on His bare lotus feet that were as tender
to the touch as a hand palm. He was [by Râvana] separated from
His sweetheart Sîtâ because of disfiguring
Sûrpanakhâ [the sister of Râvana who got her nose cut
off] and found support with the king of the monkeys [Hanumân].
Over the ocean, that was afraid of His eyebrows raised in anger, was a
bridge constructed [to Lankâ, the residence of Râvana] and
became He, like a forestfire burning the envious ones, the king of
Ayodhyâ. May His mercy be upon us. (Vedabase)

With a
[as'wamedha-] sacrifice of Vis'vâmitra was His honor defended of
indeed under the supervision of Lakshmana, having killed the wanderers
of the dark headed by Mârîca, the great chiefs of the
Râkshasas. (Vedabase)

Text6-7

It was
He who, among all the heroes in the
world who were gathered in the hall where Sîtâ would select
her husband, took up the mighty bow of S'iva that had to be carried by
three hundred men. Fastening the string, oh King, and bending it, He
broke the bow in two the way a baby elephant breaks a stick of
sugarcane. By that victory he won the
divine
girl
named
Sîtâ
who
with
her
qualities,
behavior,
age
and
limbs
was
a perfect match for Him, she the Goddess of Fortune
who had acquired a position on His chest. On His way home with her, He met and defeated, the deep-rooted pride of Bhrigupati
[Paras'urâma] who three times [seven, thus twenty one times] had
rid the earth of the seed of the [burden of unrighteous] rulers [see 9.16].

It was
He who of all the heroes in the world in the hall where
Sîtâ would select her husband took up the mighty bow of
S'iva that had to be carried by three hundred men, and fastening the
string, o King, bending it broke it in two like a baby elephant breaks
a stick of sugar cane. With first by the victory gaining to His chest
the divine girl named Sîtâ, who in her qualities, behavior,
age and limbs was a perfect match for Him, met and defeated He on his
way home with her the deep-rooted pride of Bhrigupati
[Paras'urâma] who three times [seven, thus twenty one times] had
rid the earth [of its burden of unrighteous rulers] that now without
royalty had Him as the seed. (Vedabase)

Text8

Bowing His head to the command
of His father, who in his attachment had made a promise to his wife that He had to abandon the kingdom,
residence, opulence, relatives and friends, He with his wife left to live in the forest like a liberated soul [**].

He had
indeed to the order on his head of His father, who so very attached had
made a promise to his wife [**], to accept that he had to abandon the
kingdom, residence, opulence, relatives and friends and go live in the
forest like a liberated soul. (Vedabase)

Text9

Living there He, as He
wandered around, met with great difficulties. He maimed the body of the
Râkshasa's sister [Râvana] because she had a [by lust] spoiled mind and then, with
His
invincible
bow
and
arrows
in
His
hands, had to kill the
fourteen-thousand of
her many friends headed by Khara, Tris'ira and Dûshana.

With
Him, wandering through the forest living a life of hardship, had the
sister of the râkshasa her body maimed because she had a mind
foul of lust and were, with in His hands His invincible bow and arrows,
the fourteen-thousand of her many friends headed by Khara, Tris'ira and
Dûshana, killed by Him. (Vedabase)

Text10

Oh king, when the
ten-headed
Râvana heard the stories
about Sîtâ,
it stirred his heart and made him lust to see her. [The demon]
Mârîca then lured Râma away from their stay in the form of a golden deer that was killed by Him with a sharp arrow just as S'iva killed Daksha [with an ax,
see 4.5: 22].

O ruler
of man, hearing the stories about Sîtâ, stirred the heart
of ten-head Râvana and made him lust to see her.
Mârîca in the form of a golden deer then distracted Him
away from their stay and was, like S'iva did with Daksha [see 4.5: 22],
by Him killed on the spot with a sharp arrow. (Vedabase)

Text11

While He and His brother were
in the forest, the unprotected daughter of the king of Videha [or
Janaka] was kidnapped by the most wicked Râkshasa, like he
was a tiger. Râma then wandering around like a man who,
attracted
to women, is in distress over being separated from his wife, thus gave
an example [in this s'ringâra rasa] of where attachment
all leads to.

With Him
together with His brother in the forest, was the unprotected daughter
of the king of Videha [Janaka] by the tiger, the most wicked
râkshasa, kidnapped and wandered He around posing as a man who
attached to women is in distress over being separated from his dearest
wife, thus giving an example [sringâra-rasa] of what attachment
leads to. (Vedabase)

Text12

After having performed the
funeral
rites for him who had died for His sake [the eagle Jathâyu], He
killed
Kabandha [a headless monster] and became friends with the leaders of
the monkey hordes so that He, informed by them about Sîtâ, could deliver her. He whose feet are worshiped by
Brahmâ and S'iva, but appeared as a normal man, next killed
Vâli [a wicked brother of Sugrîva]. Then He, accompanied by
the monkey soldiers, proceeded to the shore of the ocean.

After
cremating the one who had died for His sake [the eagle Jathâyu],
killed he Kabandha [a headless monster] and made he friends with the
leaders of the monkey hordes in order to free Sîtâ. He
whose feet are worshiped by Brahmâ and S'iva, but appeared as a
normal man, next in their acquaintance killed Vâli [a wicked
brother of Hanumân] and proceeded, accompanied by the monkeys
soldiers, to the shore of the ocean. (Vedabase)

Text13

The [god of
the] ocean silent with fear because of His angry glance - from which
all the crocodiles and sharks were agitated - carried, in assuming a
personal form, on his head all that was needed to worship Him and said,
upon reaching the lotus feet, the following:

The
ocean silent of fear for His angry glance - of which all the crocodiles
and sharks were agitated - carried, taking a personal form, on its head
all that was needed to worship Him and said, reaching the lotus feet,
the following: (Vedabase)

Text14

'We, the dull-minded, are
truly not capable, oh Supreme One,
to know You as the one Original
Person
and
Supreme
Master
of
all
Universes
who
resides in the core of the heart. For the
God-conscious ones are the result of Your goodness,
the controllers of the people have resulted from Your passion, while
the rulers of the material elements sprang from Your mode of ignorance.
But You oh Lord, are the Master
over all these modes.

'We, the
dull-minded, are truly not capable of , o Supreme One, knowing You as
residing in the core of the heart as the Original Person and Supreme
Master of all Universes; the God-conscious under Your direction fixed
are infatuated with goodness, the controllers of the people are
infatuated with passion, while the rulers of the physical existence are
[ghosts] under the influence of slowness, but Your Lordship as such is
the Master over these modes. (Vedabase)

Text 15

You may cross [my waters] as
You like!
Just conquer that son of Vis'ravâ called Râvana who is like
urine to
the three worlds and thus regain Your wife, oh hero. Build a bridge
here
and Your fame will spread. In
the future the great kings and
heroes from all directions will
glorify You for it.'

You may
cross as you like! Just conquer that son of Vis'ravâ called
Râvana, that urine pollution of the three worlds, and regain you
wife o hero. Build a bridge here so that Your fame may spread; the
great kings and heroes still to come will all glorify You for it.' (Vedabase)

Text 16

After the Master of the Raghu
dynasty with all sorts of mountain peaks complete with trees and
plants, that were transported by hand by the mighty monkeys, had
constructed a bridge in the ocean [***],
He, helped
by
the
directions
of
Vibhîshana
[a
virtuous
brother
of
Râvana],
together
with
the soldiers led by Sugrîva,
Nîla and Hanumân set foot on [the island of] Lankâ
that just before had been set afire [by Hanumân's tail].

After
the Master of the Raghu-dynasty with all sorts of mountain peaks,
complete with trees and plants, that were transported by hand by the
mighty monkeys, had constructed a bridge in the ocean [***], entered
He, helped by the directions of Vibhîshana [a virtuous brother of
Râvana], with the soldiers led by Sugrîva and Hanumân
[the island of] Lankâ that just before had been set afire [by
Hanumân's tail]. (Vedabase)

Text 17

There
the houses of pleasure, granaries, treasuries, palace doors and city
gates, assembly houses, turrets and [even the] pigeon houses were taken
by force and dismantled by the Vânara [monkey] leaders who, just
like
an elephant herd, turned the squares and crossroads with all their
flags and golden water pots on the rooftops, into one swirling river.

There
were the houses of pleasure, granaries, treasuries, palace doors and
city gates, assembly houses, palace frontages and [even the] pigeon
houses by force taken in and dismantled by the Vânara [monkey
people]-leaders who like an elephant herd turned the squares and
crossroads, with all their flags and golden waterpots on the rooftops
into one swirling river. (Vedabase)

Text18

When the master of the
Râkshasas saw that, he summoned Nikumbha, Kumbha,
Dhûmrâksha, Durmukha, Surântaka, Narântaka and
others to fight, and also called for his sonIndrajit, his followers Prahasta,
Atikâya, Vikampana and finally for Kumbhakarna [his mighty
brother, see 4.1: 37, 7.1: 44 and 7.10: 36].

The
master of the râkshasas upon seeing that summoned Nikumbha,
Kumbha, Dhûmrâksha, Durmukha, Surântaka,
Narântaka and others to fight, calling as well as for his son
Indrajit, his followers Prahasta, Atikâya, Vikampana and in the
end Kumbhakarna [his mighty brother, see 4.1: 37, 7.1: 44 and 7.10:
36]. (Vedabase)

Text19

All the Râkshasa
soldiers with their hard to defeat swords, lances, bows, barbed
missiles and spears, firebrands, javelins and scimitars [a curved
sword], lined up in front of Him who was surrounded by Sugrîva,
Lakshmana, Hanumân, Gandhamâda, Nîla, Angada, Riksha,
Panasa and others.

All the
râkshasa soldiers with hard to defeat swords, lances, bows,
barbed missiles and spears, firebrands, javelins and scimitars [a
curved sword] came in front of Him who was surrounded by Sugrîva,
Lakshmana, Hanumân, Gandhamâda, Nîla, Angada, Riksha,
Panasa and others.
(Vedabase)

Text20

The
commanders of the soldiers of the Ruler of
the Raghu dynasty [Râma], together hurried forward to fight the
enemy followers of Râvana moving on foot and seated on elephants,
chariots and horses who,
condemned by the anger of
mother
Sîtâ, were out of luck in the battle. With trees, mountain
peaks, clubs and arrows they were all killed by the
[monkey] warriors lead by Angada and others.

The
commanders of the soldiers of the Ruler of the Raghudynasty, together
out to defeat all the enemies, fought the hordes by elephant, on foot,
from chariots and on horseback. By the warriors lead by Angada and
others were they with trees, mountain peaks, clubs and arrows all
killed as the luck of Râvana's dependents had ran out being
condemned by the anger of mother Sîtâ. (Vedabase)

Text21

The Râkshasa
leader seeing that his forces were defeated, thereupon fuming with
anger drove his vehicle towards the brilliantly radiating Râma
who, seated on
the shining chariot of Indra that Mâtali [the driver] had
brought, struck
him with the sharpest arrows.

The
râkshasa leader fuming of seeing his forces defeated thereupon
drove his carriage forward proceeding towards the effulgent Râma
who, glittering on the chariot of Indra that Mâtali [the driver]
had brought, struck him with the sharpest arrows. (Vedabase)

Text22

Râma said to him: 'You
scum of the
earth,
since you, oh criminal, like a
dog have kidnapped My helpless wife, I, as Time itself, as someone not
failing in His heroism, will personally punish you today for that
shameless act, you abominable evildoer [see also B.G. 16:
6-18]!'

Râma
said
to
him:
'You
servant
of
scum,
since
you
criminal
like
a dog have
kidnapped My helpless wife will I, in my heroism unfailing, for that
shameless act, as a result today punish you, abominable evildoer, as
the Time itself in person [see also B.G. 16: 6-18]!' (Vedabase)

Text23

Thus rebuking him He released
the arrow He had fixed on His bow and that arrow pierced his heart like a thunderbolt. Vomiting blood from
his ten mouths he fell down from his
heavenly vehicle. His men then roared: 'Alas, what has happened to
us?',
just like pious people do when they fall down[see also B.G. 9:
21].

Thus
rebuking him released He the arrow he had fixed on His bow and that
arrow like a thunderbolt pierced his heart. Vomiting blood from his ten
mouths he fell from his heavenly vehicle while all his folk, just like
the pious do when they fall down [see also B.G. 9:21], roared: 'Alas,
what befell us?'. (Vedabase)

Text24

Thereafter the many
thousands of wives of the demons,
headed by Mandodarî [Râvana's wife], came out of
Lankâ and
lamented upon approaching [their dead husbands].

Thereafter
came
the
wives
of
the
demons
headed
by
Mandodarî
[Râvana's
wife]
out
of Lankâ to lament there in approach [of their dead
husbands]. (Vedabase)

Text25

Embracing their beloved ones
and their friends who were all
killed by Lakshmana's arrows, they did beat their breasts and
cried pitiably, which [for the victors] was something pleasant to hear:

Embracing
their
beloved
and
friends
all
killed
by
Lakshmana's
arrows
beated
they,
so
poor, their breasts and cried they, [for the victors] pleasant to
hear, piteously: (Vedabase)

Text 26

'Oh alas, now he has been
killed who has
protected us all! Oh Râvana, cause of our cries, to whom must the
state of Lankâ bereft of
your good self turn for shelter,
now it is defeated by the enemy?

'O alas,
killed is he who in the past protected us all! O, Râvana, cause
of our cries, to whom must the state of Lankâ, overcome by the
enemy, turn for shelter, now that it is bereft of your good self? (Vedabase)

Text27

Oh greatest patron, under the
spell of
lusty desires you, not knowing the influence of mother
Sîtâ, have arrived at a situation
like this.

O
Greatest Patron, as a result of having fallen under the influence of
lusty desires, had you really no idea of how mother Sitâ could
put you in a situation like this. (Vedabase)

Text28

Because of what you
did oh glory of the dynasty, we and the state of
Lankâ are now without a protector, your body is there as fodder
for the vultures and your soul is destined for hell [compare B.G. 16:
19].'

O glory
of the dynasty, because of what you did are we and the state of
Lankâ now without a protector and is your body there as fodder
for the vultures and your soul destined for hell [compare B.G. 16:19].'
(Vedabase)

Text29

S'rî S'uka said: 'Vibhîshana with the approval of the
King of Kosala [Râma] performed for the family the funeral rites
that for a deceased one have to be
observed in order to save him from hell.

S'rî
S'uka
said:
'On
the
approval
of
the
King
of
Kosala
[Râma]
performed,
of the [Râvana-] family, Vibhîshana the funeral
rites that for a deceased one have to be observed to save him from
hell. (Vedabase)

Text30

The Supreme Lord thereupon
found His sweetheart
[Sîtâ] back in an
as'oka forest sitting in a small cottage at the foot of a
s'ims'apâ [as'oka]
tree. Sick from being separated from Him she was emaciated.

Next
found the Supreme Lord in a small cottage in an as'oka forest His love
back, very lean suffering the separation from Him, taking shelter at
the foot of a s'ims'apâ [as'oka] tree. (Vedabase)

Text31

Râma seeing the poor
plight of His sweetheart was filled with compassion. When she saw her beloved, her
lotus-like mouth was
overwhelmed with a
great joy.

Râma
finding
His
dearmost
wife
so
poor
off
became
very
compassionate
with
her
upon which, seeing her beloved, a great ecstasy manifested itself
from her lotuslike mouth. (Vedabase)

Text32

The Supreme Lord put
Vibhîshana in charge of the rule over Lankâ's
Râkshasas for the duration of a kalpa. He placed
Sîtâ on His
vehicle and then ascended
Himself together with
Hanumân and the brothers
[Lakshmana and Sugrîva the commander] to return to His home town
[Ayodhyâ] and conclude the period of the vow [that He would stay
away for
fourteen years].

The
Supreme Lord, putting Vibhîshana in charge of the rule over
Lankâ's râkshasas for the duration of a kalpa, placed her
on his vehicle and got in Himself together with Hanumân and the
brothers [Lakshmana and Sugrîva the commander] to return to the
home town [Ayodhyâ] finishing the time of the vow [to stay away
for 14 years]. (Vedabase)

Text33

To celebrate His
uncommon activities He on His way
was showered with
a choice of fragrant flowers offered by the higher class and was
joyfully praised by the seer of the Absolute Truth
[Brahmâ] and the ones belonging to him.

On the
road was He showered by a choice of fragrant flowers offered by the
higher class in honor of His uncommon activities and were the Seer of
the Absolute Truth [Brahmâ] and those belonging to him of great
jubilation. (Vedabase)

Text34

Lord Râmacandra, the One
of Great Compassion,
was very sorry to hear that His brother Bharata was
lying down on a kus'a mat, had
matted
locks,
ate barley
cooked in cow's urine and had
covered Himself with tree bark.

The One
of Great Compassion was very sorry to hear how His brother Bharata with
matted locks was lying down on a Kus'a mat, ate from barley cooked in
cows urine and had covered Himself with tree bark. (Vedabase)

Text35-38

Bharata hearing
about His arrival took the two sandals on His
head [that Râma had left behind on the throne to represent Him]
and came, accompanied by all citizens, the ministers and the priests,
to welcome His eldest brother.
Departing from His camp
Nandigrâma He was accompanied by songs, the sounds of musical
instruments,
the constant recitation of mantras performed by brahmins, by gold
embroidered
flags on golden chariots that were pulled by the most beautiful, with
gold
caparisoned horses and by soldiers in gold covered armor. [Approaching]
in
procession with nicely dressed courtesans and servants as also with
soldiers on foot and everything else that would befit a royal
reception, like the wealth of all kinds of jewelry, He fell down at the
lotus feet with an ecstatic love that softened the core of His
[ascetic]
heart and filled His eyes with tears.

Bharata
hearing of the arrival took the two sandals on His head [that
Râma had left behind on the throne to represent Him] and went,
accompanied by all citizens, the ministers and the priests, out to
receive His eldest brother. Departing from His camp Nandigrâma
were there songs, the sounds of musical instruments, the constant
recitation of mantra's by brahmins, with gold embroidered flags on
golden chariots pulled by the most beautiful, with gold harnessed,
horses and soldiers in gold-covered armor. In procession with nicely
dressed courtesans and servants and also soldiers on foot indeed and
everything more that would befit a royal reception like a mass of all
kinds of jewelry, fell He down at the lotus feet in an ecstatic love
that softened the core of His [ascetic] heart and moistened His eyes. (Vedabase)

Text39-40

Placing the
two slippers before His brother, He stood with folded hands and tears
in His eyes. Then
He was embraced
by Râma who, bathing Him with
the water from His eyes, held Him in His arms for a long time. Râma,
Lakshmana
and
Sîtâ together
offered the
scholars and the others worthy
of worship personally
their
obeisances and also received these in return from all the
citizens.

Placing
the two slippers with folded hands before His golden brother embraced
He Him with tears in His eyes, bathing Him in His arms for a long time
with the water from His eyes. Râma, together with Lakshmana and
Sîtâ, personally offered the learned and the others worthy
of worship their obeisances and received them also back from all the
citizens. (Vedabase)

Text41

Seeing their Lord returning
after so many years the citizens of Kosala waved with their upper
garments, offered Him garlands and began to dance in great
jubilation.

Seeing
their Lord returning after so many years waved the citizens of Kosala
with their upper garments, offered they Him garlands and started they
to dance in great jubilation. (Vedabase)

Text42-43

The sandals were carried by
Bharata, the whisk and luxurious fan were carried by Vibhîshana
and
Sugrîva, a white parasol was carried by the son of the wind
god
[Hanumân] and the bow and two quivers were carried by
S'atrughna.
Sîtâ held the waterpot with water from the holy places,
Angada held the sword made of gold and the King of the Rikshas
[Jâmbavân, the leader of the bears who also participated in
the
war] held the shield, oh King.

The
sandals were carried by Bharata, the whisk and luxurious fan by
Vibhîshana and Sugrîva, a white parasol by the son of the
maruts [Hanumân], the bow and two quivers by S'atrughna,
Sîtâ had the waterpot with water from the holy places,
Angada had the sword made of gold and the king of the rikshas
[Jâmbavân, leader of the bears that also assisted in the
war] held the shield, o King. (Vedabase)

Text44

Sitting on Kuvera's heavenly
chariot
[the
'Pushpaka' captured from Râvana] He, the Supreme Lord devotedly
being
worshiped by the women and the reciters, oh King, appeared as brilliant
as the moon risen among the planets.

To sit
on Kuvera's heavenly chariot [the 'Pushpaka' captured from
Râvana] made Him, the Supreme Lord, with the worshipful prayers
of the women and the reciters, o King, appear as beautiful as the moon
risen between the planets. (Vedabase)

Text45-46

After
properly being welcomed by His brother He was festively received in the
city of Ayodhyâ. Upon entering the royal palace He paid mother
Kaikeyî,
His other
stepmothers and His own mother [Kaus'alyâ] His respects. The
spiritual teachers, friends of their age and the youngsters were all
of worship and their welcome was returned befittingly by
Râma, the
princess of the Videhas [Sîtâ] and Lakshmana.

Properly
welcomed by His brother was He thereafter festively received in the
city of Ayodhyâ. Upon entering the royal palace paid He mother
Kaikeyî, His other stepmothers and His own mother
[Kaus'alyâ] His respects. The spiritual teachers, friends of
their age and the younger ones were all of worship and befittingly was
the welcome returned by Him, the princess of the Videhas
[Sîtâ] and Lakshmana. (Vedabase)

Text47

The mothers reviving like
bodies awakening from sleep,
while keeping their sons
on their lap, wetted them with a continuous flow of tears in letting go
of
their grief [over having been separated for so long].

As
bodies awakening from sleep came their mothers alive and moistened
they, keeping their sons on their lap, them with a continuous flow of
tears in giving up their grief [of being separated for so long from
them]. (Vedabase)

Text48

According to the
vidhi the matted locks were
shaven off bythe family priest [Vashishthha] and the
elders of the family, after which, with the water of the four oceans
and other paraphernalia, a
bathing ceremony was performed like it was done for King
Indra [see 6: 13].

Shaving
off the matted locks, was by the family priest and the elders of the
family according the vidhi with the water of the four oceans and other
paraphernalia a bathing ceremony performed to the like of the
purification of King Indra [see 6: 13]. (Vedabase)

Text49

Thus having been fully bathed,
nicely dressed, decorated and
garlanded, He shone brightly with His brothers and His wife.

Thus
having been bathed completely, nicely dressed, decorated and garlanded,
shone He brightly with His brothers and His wife. (Vedabase)

Text50

Pleased with the surrender [of
His brother] He
accepted the throne offered to Him, as also the citizens who, serving
according to their nature with their
status orientations [varnâs'rama identity, see B.G. 4:
13],
all deserved His protection for that quality. Râma was therein
just
like a father and was by them therefore also accepted as their father.

Pleased
at the surrender He accepted the throne submitted to him by His brother
and also the citizens who, engaged in the occupational duties of their
status-orientations [varnâs'rama, see B.G. 4: 13], all had become
fit for His protection; Râma was therein just like a father and
by them was He also considered as being their father. (Vedabase)

Text51

Although this all happened in
Tretâ-yuga, the period became like Satya-Yuga because of
Râma's presence as the ruling king who with His full respect of
dharma made all living beings happy [see also 12.3: 15].

Although
it was Tretâ-yuga became the period equal to Satya-yuga because
of Râma's presence as the ruling king in full respect of the
dharma that made all living beings happy [see also 12.3: 15]. (Vedabase)

Text52

The forests,
the rivers, the hills and the mountains, the lands, the islands, the
oceans and the
seas offered all the living beings all they could wish for, oh best of
the Bharatas.

The
forests, rivers, hills and mountains, the lands, the islands, the
oceans and the seas yielded all the living beings all they could desire
for their existence, o best of the Bharata's. (Vedabase)

Text53

During the period that
Râma, the Lord in the Beyond, was king, there was no suffering [due to oneself, others and
nature], no disease,
old age, bereavement, distress, lamentation, fear and exhaustion or
dying against one's will.

There
was no suffering [due to oneself, others and nature], no disease, old
age, bereavement, distress, lamentation, fear and fatigue or an
unwanted death when Lord Râma, the One beyond All, was king. (Vedabase)

Text54

Having sworn that He would not
take another
woman [for reasons of principle He separated from Sîtâ, see
next chapter] He, as a saintly king pure in His character and
dharma, by His
personal dutifulness was an
example,
[in particular] for the householders.

Vowed
not to take another woman [for reasons of principle He separated from
Sîtâ, see next chapter] was He, as a saintly King pure of
character in His dharma, especially teaching the householders by
example of His personal dutifulness.(Vedabase)

Text55

Sîtâ in loving service of her husband was, because
of her good
character, always humble and submissive. Being chaste and afraid [to make mistakes], she
bashfully with understanding for her
husband's position captivated His
mind.'

In
loving service unto her husband was Sîtâ by her good
character always submissive and ready to please, chaste and unafraid,
bashfully, understanding her husbands position, captivating His mind. (Vedabase)

*:
This
and
the
next chapter are a summary of
Vâlmîki's Râmâyana, the original scripture
describing the st0ry of Râma.

**: Prabhupâda
explains: 'Mahârâja Das'aratha had three wives. One of
them, Kaikeyî, served him very pleasingly, and he therefore
wanted to give her a benediction. Kaikeyî, however, said that she
would ask for the benediction when it was necessary. At the time of the
coronation of Prince Râmacandra, Kaikeyî requested her
husband to enthrone her son Bharata and send Râmacandra to the
forest. Mahârâja Das'aratha, being bound by his promise,
ordered Râmacandra to go to the forest, according to the
dictation of his beloved.'

***: This bridge is today still present
in the form of a narrow passage of land close to the surface of
the ocean between Lanka and India. It is called the Adam's Bridge and
consists of a chain of shoals, c.18 miles (30 km) long [see picture and article].